264 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



1 sergeant, as master armorer. 



1 sergeant, as master saddler. 



1 sergeant, as master tailor. 



1 sergeant, as master boot-maker. 



Article 2C. The officers composing the staff are authorized to have tlie number of horses 

 allowed their grade, with the exception of the intendants and medical officers, who arc only 

 authorized to have their government horses. 



Article 27. Upon the recommendation of the council of administration, the minister of war 

 determines the number and duties of the administrative employes attached to the school ; also 

 the number of subordinate agents." 



For additional information, I would refer to the coj)y of the decree of reorganization accom- 

 panying this report. 



The captains instructor of the cavalry regiments, and the instructors of equitation, in the 

 artillery regiments, are mostly selected from the graduates of this institution. 



In addition to the subjects mentioned in the decree, the non-commissioned officers are instructed 

 in the theory of administration and accountability. 



The text books are as follows : The Hippology of M. St. Ange ; the Equitation of M. d'Aure; 

 the Tactics and Eegulations. 



The recitations are by sections of about 30 in each. 



In reciting upon the general principles of tactics, equitation, hippology, &c., the manner is 

 as at our Military Academy ; when reciting upon the movements in tactics, all the commands 

 and explanations of the instructor to the troops are repeated "verbatim et literatim," and in 

 the tone and pitch of voice used in the field. 



Perfect uniformity of tone and manner are required, and thus obtained ; the object of reciting 

 in this manner is to teach the pupils the proper tone and pitch of voice, to accustom them to 

 hear their own voices, and to enable them to repeat the text literally at this pitch of voice, 

 without hesitation or mistake. 



The course of hippology includes the structure of the horse, the circulation of the blood, 

 organs of respiration, &c., food, working powers, action, breeds, manner of taking care of him, 

 ordinary ailments and remedies, shoeing, lameness, saddling, sore backs, sanitary police, &c., 

 but does not comprise a complete veterinary course. 



The Augoux models are employed, in preference, for demonstrations, and are considered 

 invaluable. 



The officers on the staff of the school, and those for instruction, lodge in the town ; the non- 

 commissioned officers are quartered in the barrack. 



The hospital is for both officers and non-commissioned officers. 



In the kitchens, the Choumara marmites are used. 



The stables have already been described. 



In accordance with the system now adopted in France, the prison consists of small cells, opening 

 upon a corridor which communicates with the guard room ; the system of solitary confinement 

 is resorted to as the only one of any avail. Each prisoner has a bunk, mattress, pillow, and 

 blanket, belonging to the prison ; at Saumur the prisoners are obliged to have some of their text 

 books with them. 



Forage magazine. — The annexed sketch represents a section of the forage magazine ; there 

 is a staircase at each end. The oats are kept loose on the floor, in a mass about 3' deep ; a 

 winnowing machine is provided for cleaning it before issue. 



